Cyber attacks, grocery stores, and the ripple effect in rural North Dakota
A cyber attack on a major food distributor can cause empty shelves and supply shortages, reaching all the way to rural North Dakota.
Listen here:
In this episode of The Backstory, North Dakota News Cooperative reporter Michael Standaert discusses his recent story on how a cyber incident targeting United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) disrupted deliveries to grocery stores across the state.
“It was one of those stories that shows how vulnerable rural communities can be. Bigger cities often recover faster, but in smaller towns, people rely on that one store. If it’s not stocked, they’re forced to drive long distances for food.” - Michael Standart, NDNC
For some towns, that means empty shelves and limited access to essentials like milk, produce, and eggs. The situation adds more strain to small businesses already working to stay open.
Listen to the full conversation to hear how the reporting unfolded, why sourcing cyber attack stories is especially challenging, and what this situation reveals about the resilience and risks facing North Dakota’s rural communities.
Episode highlights:
- Supply chain vulnerabilities exposed: Michael explains how a cyber attack on United Natural Foods Inc. disrupted grocery deliveries across North Dakota, leaving shelves empty in many communities.
- Rural grocery stores in focus: Smaller towns with only one store faced the greatest challenges, as residents were forced to travel long distances to access basic necessities like milk and produce.
- Inside the reporting process: Michael shares the difficulties of covering cyber attacks, including navigating limited information, anonymous sources, and the reluctance of people to speak on the record.
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